Born in Co. Durham, Luci studied Ancient & Medieval History at the University of Liverpool before a career in the picture library industry. Formerly manager of the Illustrated London News archive, she has been part of the team at historical specialist, Mary Evans Picture Library for the past eight years while also writing on a freelance basis, much of which is based on the inspiring and rich content in the archive at work.
With an interest in a number of historical areas, Luci specialises in the social history of the First World War, 19th and 20th century royalty, high society and illustration. She has contributed to a wide variety of publications including History Today, Majesty Magazine, Tatler, Illustration, Stand To!, and BBC News Online. She has been sole or lead author on a series of bookazines - 'Illustrated Royal Weddings', 'Illustrated Royal Coronations', 'Illustrated Anniversaries' and 'Illustrated First World War' and has contributed text on illustrators, magazine biographies and topics for a new lottery-funded website, www.illustratedfirstworldwar.com. Luci also writes regularly for the Mary Evans Picture Library, 'Picturing the Great War', at blog.maryevans.com.
Her first book, 'Brushes & Bayonets' was published by Osprey in 2008 and tells the story of the Great War through the cartoons and illustrations in the ILN archive. She is also author of 'Debutantes & the London Season' (Shire, 2013), 'Royal Coronations' (Shire, 2013), 'Knitting for Tommy' (The History Press, 2014), 'A Better 'Ole: The Brilliant Bruce Bairnsfather & the First World War' (The History Press, 2014), 'Goodbye, Old Man: Matania's Vision of the First World War' and 'Retro London' (New Holland, 2014). 'Great War Britain' published by The History Press in June 2014 is a survey of the home front during the First World War through the eyes of magazines such as The Tatler and The Sketch and offers a high society angle and uniquely feminine perspective on this tumultuous period of British history.
Her next book, 'It's All A Bit Heath Robinson: Re-inventing the First World War' will be published in April 2015.
Besides published works, Luci also gives talks on a number of topics and has spoken at various historical events this year such as the Western Front Association AGM and Morley Literature Festival on subjects including Entertainment during the Great War, WW1 knitting and fashion and Major Richardson and the British War Dog School.
She lives in Wanstead, East London with her husband, three children and a cat called Cholmondeley.
